Nutrition is undoubtedly a tricky subject. One day headlines will tell you that eggs are good for you, and the next you might encounter studies indicating just the opposite. It’s not just specific foods that cause confusion—entire food groups or nutrients have been put under scrutiny with opinions of their health benefits (or lack thereof) changing all the time. In the 80s, dietary fat was the enemy, so low-fat became a trending label for food products from frozen meals to prepackaged cookies. Now, however, it is recognized that different types of fat have different properties, and some are, in fact, good for you. What’s more is that the influx in low-fat products led to a higher concentration of sugar in food to keep calorie counts at the same level. Today, you’ll see a similar trend with the gluten-free label, which has become synonymous with “healthy” despite the fact that eating a gluten-free diet has no distinctive benefits for anyone who does not have a wheat allergy or celiac disease.

To compound the problem of discerning what’s good for you and what’s not, everyone will have unique dietary needs depending on their tolerances for certain foods, their metabolism, and other factors. Below you can find some tips that will guide you toward the right diet for your body rather than generic nutritional guidelines that don’t work for you.

See a Doctor Before Beginning Any New Diet

Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain weight, or simply be healthier, consulting a physician will be a great first step in shifting your dietary habits. Your doctor can test your hormone levels and metabolic rate while assessing your health history to pinpoint what you should eat more of and what you should avoid or cut out completely.

Avoid Food Trends and Fads

A recent study has shown that a gluten-free diet is not healthy for individuals who do not have celiac disease. Yet, there is still a huge gluten-free trend that is followed by people who are perfectly tolerant of this protein. While it may seem tempting to go along with this and other food crazes that have people raving about a wide range of health benefits, it’s important to recognize that much of the evidence cited for the benefits of fad diets is purely anecdotal.

Get Tested for Food Allergies

While some food allergies (like peanut and shellfish allergies) are known to cause severe symptoms, other types of food allergies may not be so obvious. Therefore, it might be beneficial to have an allergy test to determine which, if any, foods you are allergic to so you know what to avoid in your diet. If you frequently experience digestive discomfort, have difficulty losing weight, or have other ongoing discomforts without any clear explanation, it is possible that you could have a food allergy you don’t know about. Additionally, food allergies might be managed through controlled exposure therapy, so you may be able to overcome an intolerance to a certain food once you identify the allergen.

As you work to separate the hype of fad diets from sound nutritional advice, connect with a MeMD provider to get the facts straight. Our doctors are available around the clock for online consultations, so you can fit the healthcare you need into even the busiest of schedules.

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Sometimes bad moods are triggered by an obvious source, such as a fight with a loved one or bad traffic on the way to work. Other times, however, you may feel like you are less in control of your mood, and you feel grouchy without much of a clear cause. In fact, these slumps may be a regular part of your day, arising in a predictable pattern. That’s because your mood correlates to your circadian rhythm, which is the 24-hour cycle that regulates when you feel sleepy and when you wake up in the morning. Knowing when you are most likely to be pushed into a bad mood during the day can help you schedule important meetings and events accordingly, so that you maximize on the positive energy that occurs between these slumps.

First thing in the morning

Waking up is not always easy, especially for those who don’t identify as “morning people.” First thing in the morning, you will experience a sensation called sleep inertia, which results from the slow process of waking up. Your body needs time to awaken, and the process isn’t instant. For some people, it’s easy to get past the initial grogginess of waking up by focusing on the excitement of a new day. Others may need some liquid ambition in the form of a cup of coffee to kickstart the body and reduce grogginess and negative feelings. If you want a more natural solution for promoting a positive early morning mood, try taking these steps.

• Go to bed earlier and wake up earlier to reduce the stress of getting ready in the morning.
• Allow yourself time to lie in bed with the curtains open, letting sunlight into your room.
• Schedule morning appointments to reduce the urge to go back to bed.
• Eat a healthy, filling breakfast.

Late in the afternoon

Once you’ve gotten past your early morning sluggishness, you might feel energized and ready to take on the day by about 10 a.m. You may feel more focused and awake, right up until lunch. You eat your lunch and get back to the office, and then you feel a crash in your energy levels that immediately affects your mood. This post-lunch lull is a common feeling that correlates with a change in how the brain perceives risk and reward. In the middle of the day, there is the lowest perceived reaction of reward processing, which basically means that everything feels a little less good in the late afternoon. That might mean that you feel crankier and more eager to get out of the office. If possible, try to avoid important meetings during this time, and reserve some of your more mindless, administrative tasks for this point in the afternoon.

Though it can be more difficult to control your mood during these times of day, you can still take steps to stay positive and productive. Check out the MeMD blog for tips on busting your bad mood, and consult our providers when you suspect that your bad mood may be a sign of something more serious.

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As modern medicine becomes more advanced, it’s easy to forget just how essential some of the most basic medical services are. In an age where polio and smallpox diagnoses are non-existent, many parents fail to realize the importance of vaccines, which prevent these and many other serious diseases that have no other cure. Though it can be scary to see your child given shots—sometimes several at once—it’s important to remember that the alternative can be debilitating or deadly. In the back-to-school season, a checkup with the pediatrician to stay up to date with your child’s immunizations should be at the top of your to do list. Not only will this ensure the health of your child and his or her peers, but it may be necessary for admission to both public and private schools.

Why Schools Require Immunization

Schools have a responsibility to keep all students safe, so districts may individually mandate that all students receive certain vaccinations—DtaP, MMR, and Pneumococcal among others—prior to enrollment. In addition, many states require by law that students are vaccinated prior to enrollment in public schools. In the wake of recent outbreaks of whooping cough and the measles, some schools may become even more strict with vaccination requirements. For example, religious exemption has been removed from California’s laws regarding childhood immunization. If you do have concerns about the safety and necessity of vaccinations for your child, speak directly with a pediatrician rather than trying to work around state laws or district rules to avoid vaccination.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until School Age for Your Kid’s Shots

For many parents, the decision to vaccinate their children is not in question, though they choose to wait until children are older before giving them certain vaccines. The intention is to space out vaccines to avoid a chemical overload for the body, but this reasoning utilizes the false assumption that infants and toddlers are adversely affected by receiving multiple vaccinations at once. Rather than exploring alternative vaccine schedules, you should stick to the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedules (See below), which you can review with your physician. These schedules have been designed to provide immunization against various diseases at critical points in development, and deviating from this schedule can be harmful for your child. The only time you might consider delaying vaccines until school age or later is if your child is critically ill and unable to receive immunizations.

Which Shots You May Need Too

When you bring your child in for back-to-school shots, you might think about any shots that you may be due for yourself. Adults should have annual flu shots, which may just become available as the school year begins. It is also necessary to have a tetanus booster at least once every 10 years.

If you aren’t sure what to make of conflicting news and concerns about vaccines, speak directly with a medical provider through MeMD. We can connect you with a board-certified provider who can answer questions and provide an online medical consultation that fits into your busy back-to-school schedule.

CDC Easy-to-Read Schedule for Children, Birth through 6 Years

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If you’ve ever needed an excuse to crack open a cold one or pour yourself a cocktail after a hard study session, science may be on your side. A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports indicated that drinking alcohol just after learning new information may help you retain that information better than if you had remined sober. The exact reasoning that this occurs is yet to be discovered, but it does indicate that alcohol can have some beneficial effects when it is consumed responsibly and methodically.

A few drinks can help you remember what you just learned.

Anecdotally, many people tout that alcohol helps them remember or become better at certain tasks, but it turns out there is some truth to this. In fact, alcohol has been documented to have positive impacts on memory in previous studies, though the effects are limited to information learned prior to drinking. Information learned while under the influence of alcohol is much more likely to be forgotten. In the most recent study, participants were split into two groups and given the same sets of words and images. One group remained sober following this study session, and the other group was allowed to drink as much as they wanted—the average was six drinks per person. The group that had become intoxicated scored statistically better than the sober group when tested in the morning to recall information from the day before.

Too many drinks can have poor effects on long-term memory.

Before you get too excited about the potential positive benefits of alcohol and memory, it’s important to remember that the long-term cons can easily outweigh the short-term pros. In a different alcohol-related study conducted at University College London, it was shown that memory loss was accelerated by six years in men who drink 2.5 drinks per day.

Because there is so much conflicting information out there about what’s good for your health and what isn’t, it’s always best to discuss any health questions you have with your doctor. When you don’t have time to schedule a visit to your primary physician, MeMD is there for you with convenient online medical exams available around the clock.

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Dry conditions and record heatwaves in the western United States have sparked several wildfires throughout the region, which are severely affecting the air quality in these areas. Breathing in smoke from wildfires can be detrimental to your health, since smoke contains a wide range of potentially harmful particulates as well as gasses like carbon monoxide and cyanide that can rapidly damage your airways. Even if you live a safe distance away from active burning fires, you might still breathe in smoke that can travel many miles, particularly in windy conditions. The following guidelines can help you protect yourself and your family so that you don’t choke on the smoke.

Check the Air Quality in Your Area

In some cities, the evidence of smoke is clearly visible. These are the most dangerous areas, since air quality is worse than some of the most notoriously polluted cities on the planet, such as Shanghai. If you aren’t sure about the conditions in your area, check the air quality before heading outdoors—there may still be smoke and harmful particulates in the air, even when you can’t see them. You can know for sure using the EPA’s AirNow tool, which provides up-to-date local air quality conditions around the country. When air quality is moderate or unhealthy for sensitive groups, those with respiratory issues like asthma should take some extra measures to stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise. Higher readings of unhealthy, very unhealthy, or hazardous should be taken seriously, since these grades will affect even the healthiest individuals.

Avoid Activities Outdoors

If possible, you should stay indoors at home when smoky conditions are worst. Any outdoor exercise should be postponed, especially after school sports programs and school recess, since kids are even more sensitive to poor air quality. If you normally head outside to walk your dog, consider indoor exercise instead using tug of war toys or chew toys to keep your pet active without an added hazard to his health.

Seal Up Your Home and Vehicle

At home, keep the windows closed and recirculate air when possible. You might also invest in a HEPA or UV filter to improve your overall air quality at home and add an extra level of protection from polluted air outside. In the car, keep your air conditioning on recirculate mode and do not drive with the windows down. It’s also helpful to avoid driving as much as possible, since car exhaust will only continue to decrease air quality in your area.

Wear the Right Face Protection

Because you still have to go to work or school and run daily errands, you will probably have to leave your house when conditions are less than ideal. Reaching for a face mask to cover your mouth and nose is a smart call, but not all masks are designed to protect your face from wildfire smoke. Only N95 or N100 masks are fit for the task, and they will feature two straps that go around the head and neck instead of a single, over the ear strap. Surgical masks and generic construction masks are not effective, because they do nothing to keep out smaller particles, which are the biggest risk with smoke exposure.

Know When to Call Your Doctor

People will be affected by wildfire smoke differently, so it’s important to know the signs of harmful exposure so you know when it’s important to seek medical care. If you or a loved one has watery eyes, a persistent cough, headaches, shortness of breath, or any difficulty breathing, head indoors and call your doctor. Individuals who have a history of asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions may need emergency care as soon as these symptoms arise, since complications are more likely. The same is true for children, elderly individuals, and those with chronic illnesses.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get the medical care you need without risking added smoke exposure when you connect with MeMD for a consultation. We provide online doctor visits around the clock, so you can seek non-emergency medical attention even when it isn’t safe to travel.

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Your dog is probably your favorite companion, and rightfully so. Having a dog in your life may help you maintain better heart health and feel happier on a daily basis, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your canine companion should be granted the same privileges as human members of your household. Sleeping in your bed, for example, may be an area where you draw the line. Though it only seems natural to curl up with your furry friend when you turn in for the night, you could be welcoming a nightly disruption that diminishes the quality of your sleep. Since sleep is a foundation for good health, it’s important to carefully consider whether it is worth it to let Fido sleep on your bed with you.

Dogs can offer comfort during sleep

For many of us, there is nothing more comforting than having the family dog around, patiently guarding the room and waiting for more belly rubs. Dogs are comforted too by the presence of their humans, which is why they make a habit of following us around the house and trying to tag along when we leave. Therefore, you might not think twice about letting your dog into your room to sleep. However, it may be better to get him his own bed on the floor rather than letting him jump up onto yours. One study from the Mayo Clinic suggested that simply having a dog in the room did not disturb sleep, but having a dog on the bed can cause wakefulness throughout the night, reducing sleep efficiency to subpar levels. Interestingly, sharing your bed with a human partner will not cause the same type of disturbance, likely because humans will subconsciously work to not disturb their partners, where dogs are inclined to take up lots of space and snore loudly while they snooze.

…But they can also make a mess of your bed

Along with concerns of snoring, kicking, and other disturbances in the bed, dogs can create a disruption with the mess they bring to your blanket palace. Though healthy dogs will not likely contaminate your bed with harmful pathogens that can get you sick, they can still track in dirt, debris, and other unsettling materials. Keeping them on the floor in their own doggie beds can be the best way to keep your bed clean.

Pets on the bed may think they’re in charge

It’s also worth considering how sleeping on your bed affects your pet’s health. For some pets, the privilege of getting on the bed or couch may increase territorial tendencies with more frequent outbursts of growling or barking when someone sits down on the same piece of furniture. When dogs become defensive in this way, they are more likely to scratch or bite, so it may be best to avoid the issue altogether and invest in a quality bed that your pooch can have all to himself.

For all the health related questions and concerns that pop into your head, you can count on MeMD to provide answers. Whether you follow our blog or connect with our doctors directly, you can rest assured that we are there for you with the information you need to stay well.

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When it comes to healthy eating, the main ingredients of your dishes are only part of the equation. To add the richness and flavor that your taste buds crave, you might begin to explore more exotic spices to reduce your need for unhealthy additions like butter and salt. Not only will dried spices and fresh herbs add more appealing aromas to your food, but they can lend their own health benefits that will further improve the nutritional content of what you’re eating.

Turmeric

Known for its striking color, turmeric is a common ingredient in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking, and it lends a mild spiced flavor to each dish. In its whole form, turmeric is a root like ginger, and it can be peeled and ground into dishes or used in its more common dried, powdered form. Either way, be careful not to stain your hands or countertops with the strongly colored spice, and enjoy the benefits of potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that this versatile ingredient has to offer.

Saffron

Saffron is the most expensive spice, but fortunately it does not take much to flavor foods and tap into its medicinal properties. Traditionally, saffron is used as a mood lifter, and it has been known to relieve PMS symptoms in women.

Ginger

If you have ever had nausea or an upset stomach, chances are someone has suggested ginger tea or ginger ale to calm your tummy. That’s because ginger is highly effective for soothing stomach upset, and it may also fight arthritis and protect the joints thanks to compounds called gingerols, which fight inflammation.

Epazote

In most regions outside of the Southwest, epazote can only be found dried, but it is no less effective as a source of folic acid as well as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. This unique herb has a slight licorice flavor, and it is the perfect addition to any Latin American dish. Its most common use is as an aromatic in refried beans, as epazote is known to reduce their gassy effects.

Chili Powder

Chili powder is available in an array of flavors, made from ground chilies of all varieties. Some are sweeter while some pack a huge punch of heat, and others are smoked to bring out the earthy, savory aspects of their aromas. With any chili powder, you can add an exhilarating kick to your food while enjoying the metabolism-boosting benefits of capsaicin.

When you’re looking for quick fixes for your health, MeMD can cut out the leg work of finding an urgent care clinic or trying to make an appointment with your primary physician. We make it easy to have a doctor’s visit online so you can get on with your day and spend more time doing the things you love—like experimenting in the kitchen.

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Many of us convince ourselves that we’re too busy to work out, and it’s an easy argument to make. Not only do you have to take into account the time you’re exercising, but you have to get to the gym or a nearby hiking trail, gear up, and then get back home or to the office before continuing your day. Yet, there is a way to exercise that requires little to no special gear and can pretty much be done anywhere. Walking is one of the most versatile, accessible ways to exercise, and it doesn’t take much to pay off with some surprising benefits. Aside from helping you slim down and tone up your lower body, walking can allow you to:

Calm Down

Stress is a problem for many American adults, and it can quickly wear on your health if it goes unchecked. Fortunately, walking is an easy way to combat stress, because it can have an immediately calming effect, even if you are walking along busy streets or trails. Walking can be meditative, as it’s a good time to let your mind wander as your circulation picks up and you breathe in plenty of fresh air.

Erase Varicose Veins

If you have a job where you sit down for most of the day, you might be at much higher risk for circulatory issues in the legs—particularly varicose veins. Walking promotes better circulation in the legs (just be sure to choose the right shoes), so it might help you prevent or erase varicose and spider veins while preventing more serious circulatory problems.

Digest Better

Walking is one of the few types of exercise that may be appealing after a large meal. With a post-dinner walk, you can promote better digestion and avoid a big spike in blood sugar that will cause you to crash later.

Saving time is a priority in modern life, but you don’t have to cut out essentials to fit in all your daily tasks. To stay healthier on the go, you can count on MeMD for quick, online medical consultations for prescription refills, seasonal illnesses, and travel medicine to simplify your healthcare.

The post Here’s What Can Happen if You Walk 30 Minutes Daily appeared first on MeMD.

As the season transitions to fall, the days get shorter and the weather gets colder. Though this may be a welcome environmental change, it also signals that flu season is on the horizon. Every fall and winter, influenza becomes a significant health risk that will affect millions of individuals and cause tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. There are a few reasons that the flu becomes more active during the colder weather seasons—including limited sun exposure resulting in less vitamin D production, more time spent indoors in close proximity to others, and the preference of the flu virus for colder temperatures that allows it to spread more rampantly in the winter season.

As is the case every flu season, your best line of defense against the virus is a flu shot, but there may be some things you don’t know about the shot and other lines of defense against this virus.

The flu shot doesn’t work immediately.

You might think that it isn’t necessary to get a flu shot, because you don’t know anyone who currently has the flu. However, the flu shot can take about two weeks to build up immunity against the virus in your system, so it’s best to get one as a preemptive move. You may also act with more urgency if you live in the Southwest, because there have already been confirmed cases of flu in Maricopa County, Arizona this September. If you get a flu shot now, it should offer protection throughout the duration of flu season, which can extend into March.

Nasal spray flu prevention is still not recommended for 2017.

In the 2016-2017 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine was pulled from shelves and not recommended for use. Though this option was standard as a vaccination for younger children in previous years, it is still not recommended in the 2017-2018 season. Every member of the family over six months of age should have an injectable flu shot for optimal protection.

Pregnant women can get the flu vaccine.

Being pregnant during flu season may be a source of dread, but know that you can still receive the flu vaccine while you are expecting. In fact, having a flu shot during pregnancy can actually boost the immunity of your baby for the first several months of his or her life, which can be particularly beneficial, since babies are not able to have flu shots themselves.

Your diet can help you prevent the flu.

Unfortunately, the flu shot cannot offer 100% protection from the flu—especially if there is a decline in vaccination rates, continuing the trend of last season. That means you should also take other preventive steps, such as frequent handwashing and courteous coughing to limit the spread of the virus. In addition, you might bolster your immune system with some flu-fighting foods. Choices like fennel, red peppers, anise seeds, yogurt, and fatty fish all provide your body with powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can keep you from getting sick.

When flu prevention fails, you’ll want to know where to turn to receive care for your symptoms. Contacting MeMD at the first signs of the flu may help you get better faster with antiviral medication, and our medical team can also help you find relief when your symptoms have persisted for days, or even weeks.

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As you probably all know, the influenza vaccine is now out and widely available. The CDC estimates that approximately 40,000 people die annually from influenza and its related complications (mostly the very young and old) in the US, so the flu shot can literally be lifesaving. When you have a chance, please encourage your patients (both in your live practice and telemedicine) to get a flu shot via their primary care provider.

For the 2017-2018 flu season it is recommended that only the injectable vaccine be administered, and to avoid the live attenuated influenza (nasal spray) vaccine. All health care professionals should also get their influenza vaccinations early in the fall, as it generally takes antibodies roughly two weeks to develop after you receive the shot.

As a quick reminder, there are individuals who should NOT get the flu shot, which may include:

• Infants under 6 months of age,
• Those with severe egg allergies or a known allergy to any component of the influenza vaccine,
• Or anyone with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

On a personal note:

I skipped my flu shot in 2002 (yes, I remember the year) because I was “too busy” to get it. That winter I contracted the flu and was literally bedridden for over a week. I felt like I had been hit by a freight train. If you haven’t had the flu in many years or even decades it is easy to forget how miserable the flu really is. Needless to say, I have not missed a flu shot since—so please, all of you, make the time to get this done for yourself, your family, and your patients.

For more general information and key facts regarding the influenza vaccine and the flu, please visit the CDC website or speak with a MeMD provider about preventative measures and treatment options.

Dr. Lorenzo is the Chief Medical Officer of MeMD. He received his BS with Honors from Creighton University in 1984, his MD from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine with High Distinction in 1988, his CPE in 2011, and his Master of Science in Healthcare Management with High Distinction from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2014. He is subspecialty, fellowship trained, and board certified neurologist with clinical training at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Kansas Medical Center.

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There are many conditions like hiccups, headaches, and nausea, for which almost everyone has a suggestion for treating. Some treatments are simple and make sense, while others may seem completely ridiculous—and, in fact, probably are. So, before you attempt a handstand to stop your hiccups or apply lemon oil to your hands to chase away a headache, it’s important to consider whether these home remedies are safe and effective. Let’s dive into some home remedies to explore what might be worth trying and what’s best left to old wives’ tales.

Which home remedies will actually work?

If you are on the fence about a home remedy, first ask yourself: “Is this a condition I should be treating at home?” Minor ailments like the a cold, an upset stomach, headaches, and skin infections are all relatively benign, and they typically don’t need the attention of a doctor in healthy individuals. Therefore, these conditions are more fit for home remedies than serious illnesses like cancer.

Remedies with familiar ingredients

The most effective and lowest-risk home remedies tend to be those that can be whipped up with ingredients you already have at home.

• Vinegar – White vinegar has antibacterial properties, making it an ideal cleaning agent for the home as well as a suitable treatment for cuticle infections. Vinegar can also treat swimmer’s ear when mixed with equal parts distilled water and applied into the ear with an eyedropper.
• Baking Soda – If you suffer from eczema, your skin may be more acidic than normal. You can neutralize the pH of your skin with a tablespoon of baking soda in your bathwater, which should be just warm enough to soothe the skin, not scalding hot.
• Peppermint – Herbs are some of nature’s best healers, and peppermint is one that is particularly delightful to taste, so it may be what you reach for (likely in the form of a tea made from dry leaves) to fight indigestion or nausea. A whiff of peppermint oil can also be good for your health, since aromatherapy is effective for stress relief.
• Ginger – Ginger is a tried and true treatment for nausea, often used to fight motion sickness without the tiring effects of medications like Dramamine.
• Salt – Swishing salt water can be helpful if you have sores inside your mouth, and it may also reduce a cough caused by tonsillitis, since salt can dislodge food particles that get lodged in the tonsils and cause coughing fits.
• Ice – You’ve probably reached for ice to treat a swollen joint or sprained ankle, but it can also be useful for stopping a migraine in its tracks. Applying ice to the back of the neck can block the nerve signals that cause migraines, relieving you of your headache.
• Milk – When you feel the initial tingle of a cold sore coming on, regular whole milk can be an effective treatment because of the proteins and fatty acids in it. Soak a cotton ball in milk and apply it directly to the affected area. This can shorten the life of the cold sore and reduce the tingling irritation that the lesion causes.

When are home remedies more likely to be dangerous?

In general, you aren’t likely to do much harm concocting home remedies out of items you have in your kitchen. When you begin to use supplements and miracle cures, however, you can easily slide into dangerous territory.

• Non-FDA Approved Supplements – Don’t be fooled by labels that tout “all natural” ingredients or “pure extracts.” In some of these products, natural extracts are toxic to people. Apricot kernel extract is one product that claims cancer-fighting properties, but it also contains cyanide, so it can cause poisoning in higher doses.
• Misuse of Different Products – In some cases, you might come across recommendations to use verifiably safe products in ways outside of their intended purpose. Tea tree oil is one example, which is safe when applied to the skin, but should not be consumed orally or used on or near the eyes, mouth, or genital area.

Which home remedies aren’t worth the trouble?

At the end of the day, you might be turning to a home remedy to save time or avoid a trip to the doctor’s office, so you’ll want to consider whether the treatment is actually worth the trouble. Some home remedies may work, but they can cause unpleasant effects. Rubbing garlic on your feet, for example, can help fight the fungus that causes athlete’s foot, but you’ll be left smelling like garlic all day.

There’s no need to gamble with your health or spend time on treatments that simply won’t work. With MeMD, you can consult a medical provider any time from the comfort of home for the ultimate home remedy to any common illness.

The post The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Dangerous: A Closer Look at Home Remedies appeared first on MeMD.

When you start to think about how many calories you consume eating Halloween candy and other sweet treats, you may find that the holiday is even scarier than you suspected. Halloween treats aren’t always healthy, but there are some easy ways to turn more wholesome ingredients into spooky treats that won’t weigh you down.

Eyeball Pasta

Spinach fettuccine creates ghoulish green strands that will serve as a bed for a heaping scoop of marinara sauce, which you can top with slices of mozzarella cheese—a cheese stick works great—topped with a slice of black olive. These details pop like eyeballs for a dinner that will look right back at you!

Apple Monsters

These scary cyclops are easy to put together with some apple slices, peanut butter, cashews for teeth, and marshmallows with a chocolate candy center for the eyes.

Tangerine Pumpkins

A sweet and simple snack that will round out any party table or kids’ Halloween lunch are these adorable peeled tangerines with a celery stem that looks just like a pumpkin.

Jack-O-Lantern Sushi

You will need to look for sushi-grade salmon to put these Jack-O-Lanterns together, which use balls of sticky rice to hold their shape. Cut pieces of nori—or thin sheets of seasoned seaweed—create the face and head details that can be custom designed for each piece of fish.

Devilish Deviled Eggs

Red pepper triangles and sliced black olives create the evil eyes and horns for these creatively crafted deviled eggs, which are a classic party food to serve on your Halloween spread. Keep your devils on the healthier side by only using two-thirds of the yolks when preparing and substitute nonfat cottage cheese for the other one-third to keep the filling just as velvety and rich.

Banana Ghosts

It’s not Halloween without something sweet, but you can use fruit to add some substance to your sugary treats. Cut and peeled bananas look ghostly and ghoulish with faces drawn on using melted chocolate that’s chilled on the surface of the bananas.

Frankenstein Boo-Ritos

Bring Frankenstein’s monster to life with spinach tortilla wraps that use cut slices of cheese, googly eyes, and sundried tomatoes to make faces on the outside of the burrito, which can be filled with any of your favorite meats, cheeses, and veggies.

Red Pepper Jack-O-Lanterns

Looking for a fun dinner to serve before trick-or-treating? Try your hand at making these stuffed bell peppers, which look like Jack-O-Lanterns when you cut out details for the face before filling with ground turkey and brown rice.

When you need a little extra boost for your health or some quick tips to get you through the holiday season, you can rely on MeMD for fast medical care from the comfort of your own home.

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Any types of aches and pains can be distracting, but back and neck pain may be particularly distracting, since these types of pain can cause a wide range of complications and prevent you from completing even the simplest tasks. Back pain is not uncommon. Millions of Americans experience chronic and acute back pain, but it doesn’t have to be such a pervasive issue. Often, back pain originates with small, seemingly harmless habits that slowly cause damage over time. To spare yourself from a lifetime of back pain and soreness, read up on the bad habits below and the fixes for them.

You aren’t adjusting for your height and posture.

Do you ride a bike, sit in a computer chair, or kayak for fun? Whenever you use equipment that adjusts for varying body types—particularly different heights—you should always double check that you’ve adjusted properly for yourself. Otherwise, you could be over exerting yourself or over-stretching certain muscle groups in the back and core. If, for example, your bike seat is too low, you may be bending too far down as you ride, creating an unnatural curve in the spine that puts pressure on the lower back.

You carry too much stuff in your purse.

If you are the type who always has anything you need stashed in your purse, chances are your spine is paying the price for the convenience. When you carry a purse over one shoulder, your body will compensate for the added weight on one side by elevating the load-bearing shoulder, which throws your spine off balance. Lighten up your load in your bag to relieve pressure on your back, or carry a sturdy, supportive backpack if you must carry your life on your shoulders. If you do use a backpack, keep it adjusted with the straps high enough to rest the load of the pack on your hips, rather than your shoulders.

You don’t stretch.

Have you ever wondered why a quick stretch can feel so good? It’s because stretching can improve your circulation, relieve pressure on certain joints, and help decrease tension that builds up in the muscle tissue. If you don’t make stretching part of your daily routine, you might find that you feel more stiff and achy following periods of activity. In addition, you’ll be at a greater risk for injuries, because your joints will lack flexibility. Do your back and the rest of your body a favor and practice a daily stretching routine with some basic yoga moves like downward facing dog to preserve the health and flexibility of your spine.

You drive too much.

If you always choose to drive to the corner store rather than walk or you spend hours of your day commuting to work, you are likely causing damage to your spine in a few ways. First, sitting is generally bad for your back, because it put much more pressure on the lumbar spine, especially if you slouch. Most drivers will assume a relaxed posture at the wheel, and that only increases the potential for damage. Plus, driving combines the negative effects of sitting with the potential stress of road rage, so it’s a recipe for disaster for your back. You can reverse some of the damage, however, by compensating with stress-battling exercise. You can also improve your driving posture by sitting closer to the wheel at a 90-degree angle.

Unfortunately, there are many ways to injure your spine and cause back pain. With any type of back pain, one of the worst steps you can take is to ignore it. Instead of waiting out your pain, contact MeMD to get on track with your healing so that you can return to your life faster.

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Legionnaires’ disease may be an illness that you’ve never even heard of, but it can quickly become a health threat to affected communities when an outbreak occurs. Recently, Flushing, Queens has been making headlines due to a cluster of Legionnaires’ cases affecting at least 12 patients, and this is not the first outbreak of the illness seen in recent years. So, what exactly is Legionnaires’ and is it something that you need to worry about? This article will answer these and more questions to help you understand how to protect your health from this serious but treatable condition.

What is Legionnaires’?

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacterium Legionella, which is found in freshwater areas like lakes and rivers. This bacterial infection is considered rare with about 20,000 cases diagnosed per year, but outbreaks can be frightening for communities, since there will often be a cluster of cases as seen in New York. A common misconception about Legionnaires’ is that it is spread from person to person, but the illness actually is only transmitted through contact with contaminated water.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ are primarily respiratory, and patients might feel like they have a severe flu. Fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite are all common symptoms, and they should be brought to the attention of your doctor if you’re in an area affected by an outbreak. Drugs used for pneumonia will treat Legionnaires’ disease, but the disease can be fatal or require hospitalization if it is not treated with these antibiotics.

Who is at the highest risk?

Anyone who is exposed to Legionella can contract the disease, but it is more likely to infect individuals with compromised immune systems, including: People over 50, current and former smokers, people on immune-suppressing drugs, and people with existing health problems.

Why do outbreaks occur?

Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ happen when Legionella bacteria are able to spread in manmade water systems, such as showers, cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative water features, and hot water heaters. As bacteria multiplies, it will contaminate water that’s spread in droplets small enough to breathe in, which is how the disease is spread. Once exposure to Legionella is identified in a community, the local health department may investigate to explore the extent of contamination.

You should never gamble with your health, so don’t leave your questions unanswered. MeMD can help you connect with a medical provider right away for an online consultation, so you won’t risk prolonging the care that you need.

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Getting sick while you’re pregnant is no walk in the park, especially if you’re in the later months of pregnancy. In addition to coping with the symptoms of pregnancy on top of the symptoms of an illness, you might face frustration as you head to the medicine cabinet to find some relief. If you regularly take certain medications, you’ve probably gotten the go-ahead from your doctor to continue during pregnancy. When you need immediate relief from seasonal or sudden illnesses, however, you might not be sure what’s safe to take and what could do harm to your baby. Generally, your best bet is to ask your doctor, but you can get an idea of what’s safe with the guide below.

For a headache

For headaches as well as everyday aches and pains, acetaminophen, or Tylenol, has been the go-to choice during pregnancy, because it does not carry the same risks to the fetus as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium in the third trimester. Recent research has indicated, however, that regular use of acetaminophen during pregnancy can increase the risk of ADHD in your child. Though more research is needed to confirm the connection, it may be beneficial to limit Tylenol use and seek alternative pain relieve measures such as rest and cold compresses.

For a flu or cold

Cold and flu season can be hard on expecting moms, but there are some medications you can take for relief. Many varieties of cough syrup are safe after the first trimester, and saline nasal drops and sprays can be used to relieve congestion. You might also gargle with salt water to relieve a cough or sore throat and reach for a comforting bowl of chicken soup to help you feel better. In addition, remember to get your flu shot, because it can keep both you and your child from getting sick.

For allergies

Antihistamine allergy pills are largely safe during pregnancy, including Benadryl and Claritin. If you normally use steroidal nasal sprays for allergies, check with your doctor to make sure these are safe. Topical anti-itch creams and ointments can be used safely to cope with skin allergies and other irritations.

For stomach upset

It’s no secret that pregnancy can be hard on your stomach. Even after morning sickness has subsided, you may face more frequent constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. For nausea, natural remedies like ginger tea and bland foods may be your best bet. Diarrhea can be treated with Kaopectate or Imodium, which may be used for 24 hours only after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Constipation can be treated with supplemental fiber in the form of Metamucil or Citrucel, and milk of magnesia is also safe if a laxative is needed.

For heartburn

Heartburn is something else you might experience more often in pregnancy, especially in later months. Maalox, Mylanta, and TUMs are all safe during pregnancy, and you can also find relief by sitting upright instead of lying down after eating and also drinking extra water in small, frequent sips.

When you aren’t sure about a certain medication and you can’t reach your OBGYN for an opinion, MeMD can provide the guidance you need from real medical providers, available around the clock.

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Almost everyone has pulled an all nighter at some point in their lives—whether it was to get a college essay written last minute, to nurse a cranky crying baby, or to accommodate travel plans. Though staying up all night on rare occasions isn’t likely to do any permanent harm to your health, it can cause you to feel run down the next day, and it can put you at risk for some unique hazards. If staying up all night is a persistent problem in your life, you may face more serious problems, because your body needs sleep to stay healthy, no matter your age. Let’s take a closer look at what happens when you don’t get the sleep you need.

Sleep deprivation slows down your brain.

Your brain works through electrical activity, which facilitates communication between brain cells and the brain and the nervous system that “talks” to the rest of the body. When you lose sleep—either due to staying up through the night or cutting your nightly sleep short by a few hours—the electrical activity in your brain slows down, meaning that you may feel foggy, sluggish, and slow throughout the following day. It isn’t fully known what happens to the brain during sleep, but it is clear that the brain requires sleep to rest and recharge. Without proper sleep, you may have slower reaction times, which could be a real danger if you are getting behind the wheel for your daily commute.

A lack of sleep can lead to poor decisions the next day.

In addition to reduced reaction times, you might experience difficulty reasoning through problems as well as higher temptation from certain vices. Overeating after losing sleep is common, because your body will be trying to compensate for the energy that it’s lacking. You may also be more likely to reach for a cigarette or alcoholic beverage, as impulsive behaviors are less under control in drowsy individuals.

Chronic insomnia may have lasting effects.

Unfortunately, you cannot catch up on lost sleep, but it’s a common misconception that this strategy works. If you spend weeknights getting by on 4-5 hours of sleep and plan to sleep more on the weekends to compensate, you’re doing damage to your body. Your heart, lung, brain, and circulatory health all depend on nightly sleep to function well, and they won’t be repaired if you get 10 hours of sleep on Saturday but return to sleepless nights when the workweek begins. In fact, the best sleep pattern is a consistent one, so you should strive for quality sleep each night and aim to get up at about the same time every morning.

If you are having trouble sleeping at night, the medical team at MeMD is here to help. With medical consultations available online around the clock, you’ll never have to lose a wink of sleep worrying about your family’s health.

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When your child has flu symptoms, it’s best if he or she stays home from school to feel better and avoid spreading the virus to classmates. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to tell when your child is sick—especially if he or she has a talent for faking it. Kids may fake illness for a variety of reasons from stress at school to simple laziness and rebelliousness, so you should be somewhat discerning when your child comes to you in the morning complaining of flu like symptoms. During cold and flu season this winter, brush up on the following strategies to improve your ability to spot a flu faker:

Align Behaviors with Described Symptoms

Sometimes it’s easy to know when your child is faking an illness, because he or she will behave normally but continue to complain about alleged symptoms. If, for example, your child says he has a stomach ache but scarfs down breakfast without problems, it’s likely that the illness is fabricated. When it comes to the flu, there are a few characteristic symptoms to look out for that will indicate that a day off school might be the right choice. Fever, chills, congestion, coughing, headache, and body aches are all common of the flu, but some of these symptoms might be easier to fake than others. Here’s a look at some questions to ask if you’re not sure whether your child is really sick with the flu.

Is your child eating breakfast?

Especially when your child first becomes sick, he or she may not have much of an appetite. If your child is skipping breakfast while complaining of other symptoms, it may be likely that the flu is the cause.

Does your child’s cough sound productive?

Children learn quickly that a cough can make them sound sick, but you should listen carefully when your child coughs to assess whether it’s a real symptom. Coughing caused by a flu bug will sound like it is coming from deep within the chest, often accompanied by phlegm. This type of cough is difficult if not impossible to produce on command, so listen carefully when your child starts coughing.

Has your child gotten out of bed?

Flu can cause achiness and malaise that will keep your child confined to bed. If he or she has not gotten up on time and complains of feeling sick, it’s likely the real thing.

Keep a Thermometer Handy

Another symptom to look for that’s almost impossible to fake is a fever. Not all flu sufferers will run a fever, but it is a common symptom. To check for a fever, don’t feel your child’s face or forehead—reach directly for the thermometer instead to get an accurate reading.

Know What’s on Your Child’s Schedule

Bad timing can occur, but you might be warier of flu complaints if your child has a big test on the schedule or an essay to turn in. Staying involved with your child’s school schedule and knowing about big assignments that are coming due can help you recognize when a flu may seem like a handy excuse to get out of schoolwork.

Pay Attention to Repeated Missed Days

It’s normal for kids to try faking a flu once or twice in their school careers, but making a consistent habit of it can point to other problems. If your child is frequently faking an illness, there may be a source of stress at school, such as a bully, that your child is trying to avoid.

When your child is sick and needs to stay home from school, help him or her to feel better faster by requesting a MeMD exam. We can provide pediatric visits over the web with a parent present, so you can get the medicine and medical advice you need to help your child feel well again.

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Especially with Thanksgiving around the corner, you might be thinking about ways to reset your metabolism, boost your energy, and promote weight loss. Fasting is often discussed in relation to these benefits, and it can be very effective, if it’s done right. Fasting involves not eating or severely restricting calories for a dedicated period of time, and it is often most beneficial in short bursts rather than prolonged periods.

If you are considering incorporating fasting into your routine, take a look at these tips on how to do it the healthy way.

Start Small

Though each individual’s dietary needs vary, fasting is generally best when it’s done over a period of 12-36 hours. Any more than this and you may risk malnutrition and adverse effects on your weight—because your body will start to think it’s starving by the next time you eat. If you’ve never fasted before, try starting with a smaller chunk of time, maybe just 8 hours.

Stay Consistent

You might just fast for one day, or you might make a habit of it as you realize the potential benefits involved. If you do decide to fast regularly, be consistent and plan ahead. Fast days may still include some eating, but it might be limited to just 500 calories over the whole day. Once you break your fast, be sure to eat slowly and healthfully so that you don’t reverse the positive effects of your fast.

Stay Hydrated

It’s easy to forget just how much of your daily water intake comes from food—about 25%. When you aren’t eating, you need to supplement that water with a few extra glasses throughout the day. You should also concentrate on packing in more nutrients when you do eat, so you can sustain through the fast more effectively.

Fasting isn’t right for everyone, and it should never be attempted without the go-ahead from a doctor. To talk to a medical professional about your dietary needs, connect with MeMD for a quick, convenient online consult.

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Thanksgiving is behind us, and you’re probably already feeling the consequences of holiday eating. It’s not uncommon to gain weight during the holiday season, since temptation is all around with sweet treats, heavy meals, and constant parties. You might already be looking ahead to a weight loss resolution for the New Year, or you may be making an active effort to curb holiday weight gain before it becomes a problem. Either way, you should know the right steps toward healthy weight loss.

Losing weight quickly is not necessarily the healthiest step, especially since you’ll probably need to use an extreme diet to see such rapid weight loss. Your goal should be gradual, sustained loss of body fat as you gain muscle mass to increase your strength and boost your metabolism. The way you approach weight loss matters for your health. Dropping a significant amount of weight can be more dangerous than living at a stable weight that’s slightly above the healthy range for your height, gender, and body type—and it’s even more hazardous to your health if you gain the weight back right away after your diet ends. To better plan for healthy weight loss this winter and beyond, read ahead for a look at the different types of body fat and the best ways to burn harmful abdominal fat.

Understanding the Types of Body Fat

Not all body fat is bad for your health. Areas of fat that may bother you the most cosmetically, such as the hips, thighs, and buttocks, may not be the most harmful in terms of long-term health effects. Visceral, intra-pericardial, and intra-hepatic fats are a more immediate threat to the body, since these are associated with diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and many more health complications. These fat deposits appear in the abdomen, heart, and liver, respectively, and they are not targeted by every weight loss method.

Weight Loss vs. Fat Loss

When you’re thinking about your weight and a potential weight loss plan, your focus may be on the number you see on the scale. However, there is much more to consider that your weight alone won’t tell you. In a long-term diet study published by the American Heart Association, MRI technology was used to map deposits of body fat in individuals following diet plans with various lifestyle modifications. The conclusion of the study was that continued, sustained, and gradual weight loss has the greatest benefit to your health because this approach targets the most dangerous fat deposits, which means that you don’t need to reach your dress or pant size goals to make a lasting impact on your wellness.

Ways to See Real Results

A varied and balanced approach is the key to healthy weight loss. That should include a diet rich in fresh vegetables, whole grains, and good fats with minimal processed food, regular moderate exercise, and sound nightly sleep.

When you want to lose weight, it never hurts to consult a doctor to be sure that you’re on the right track. An appointment with a MeMD provider can help you stay on top of your health without missing a beat in your busy schedule.

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Everyone deals with some amount of stress from time to time, but stress can easily spiral out of control and begin to take hold of your daily life. When stress starts to pile up, you can feel more anxious, depressed, or even physically ill, and you may also feel hopeless as you try to cope with your stressors and fail to find adequate solutions. Often, people will turn to unhealthy means like drugs, alcohol, impulsive behavior, over- or under-sleeping, or binge eating to handle stress, but these strategies will only worsen the problem and cause further health concerns.

While you can’t have complete control over every factor that contributes to your stress, you can find healthier alternatives to negative coping mechanisms so you’re better equipped to face daily challenges and avoid the trap of anxiety, depression, and related behavioral issues.

Know the Signs of a Problem

It can be tough to recognize when you are under too much stress and need help. You may find that you reach for junk food more often without thinking, or that you lose your temper easily in tense situations. Paying attention to your behavior—and being willing to listen when someone close to you points out changes in your behavior—will be an important step in tackling the issue at hand.

Ask for Help

Even if you recognize a stress problem, you might not know where to turn to find coping strategies. Speaking with a therapist is a good first step, because there may be many psychological influencers at play, and you may have some lingering baggage that you need to sort through in therapy sessions. You can also find help from your primary care physician or a close friend—just remember that talking about your stress with someone else can help you avoid bottling it up and letting it get worse.

Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones

One of the strategies you may learn by visiting a therapist is cognitive behavior therapy, which involves recognizing negative thoughts and replacing them with more positive thought patterns. For example, when you feel yourself thinking that you are scared or unfit to take on a challenge, it can be helpful to replace that thought with a positive affirmation. Simply stating “I can handle this” may be enough to change your pattern of thinking and relieve the self-doubt that piles on your stress.

Identify Stressors that You Can’t Control

A common mistake in stress management is trying to control things that are uncontrollable. You may not be able to immediately fix your financial wellbeing or make your mother-in-law any more pleasant to talk to, but you can change how you approach these stress-inducing situations. Don’t hesitate to express your feelings to people who cause you stress when the time is right. You can also reframe problems to view them as opportunities. For example, if you are unable to afford a family vacation, take the time to explore your home town by discovering nearby nature attractions or attending free local events, which are particularly abundant around the holidays.

Incorporate More Exercise

Stress is agitating, but you can use the negative energy that it gives you to accomplish something positive. Rhythmic exercise like running, swimming, or dancing can be particularly therapeutic, and these activities will give you somewhere to channel your energy so you can better reduce the urges for impulsive behaviors you may regret later on.

It isn’t always easy to find the time to take care of yourself, which is why MeMD now offers convenient and private therapy sessions online. This way, you can find the help you need without adding even more tasks to your daily schedule.

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